When it comes to Week 1's biggest upsets, there's no question it was the Arizona Cardinals achieving a surprising win over Justin Herbert and the heavily favored Los Angeles Chargers. Nearly a week after NFL fans saw and heard about the loss, former NFL quarterback-turned-analyst Dan Orlovsky was confronted over his controversial opinion on Herbert among quarterbacks. While on ESPN 2's "Unsportsmanlike" with Evan Cohen, Chris Canty, and Michelle Smallmon, Orlovsky was asked about his take.
"Why do you love quarterbacks who haven't done it versus those who have? Why do you love Herbert. ... why do you not love [Jalen] Hurts?" Cohen asked Orlovsky. The confrontation also arrived after Hurts, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback several seasons ago, led his team to a Week 1 win over the Washington Commanders.
Hurts completed 14 of 25 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns, and had a rushing touchdown in the 24-22 win. More news: Baker Mayfield Draws Attention in Surprising Jersey at Buccaneers Media Session Orlovsky explained that he previously viewed Hurts based on his college career and wondered why the Eagles would move on from Carson Wentz to Hurts. Orlovsky said he has "removed any doubts" about Hurts after seeing how he's performed in the NFL.
"I think why you're a fan of Herbert is because that's what it should look like," he said. "Your brain tells you that's what it should look like." "He's had historically good performances in the league. Last week was awful," Orlovsky admitted, reiterating, "I'm a Hurts guy, now." Orlovsky is known to be a Herbert supporter, and that became clear on "The Pat McAfee Show" last month when he said he "liked the Chargers better than the Chiefs" in the AFC West.
"Herbert will absolutely be top five in the MVP conversation come Thanksgiving. I would be shocked if he's not," he also told McAfee ahead of the NFL season, mentioning how good an "offensive unit" the Chargers are. In Week 1, Herbert completed 17 of 27 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown.
He also threw an interception in the surprising 26-14 loss to the Cardinals. Arizona's Jacoby Brissett threw for 277 yards and a touchdown to lead the way, and the Cardinals compiled 393 yards of total offense. It remains to be seen if Herbert can lead the Chargers on a meaningful NFL playoff run.
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